Car Air Conditioning Not Cold? Causes, Checks and Regas Explained!

If your car’s air conditioning isn't keeping you cool, you are not alone. Many drivers will

only notice a problem when the weather warms up, but air con does more than keep the cabin

comfortable. It also helps remove moisture from the air, which means it plays an important

role in demisting the windscreen and maintaining good visibility.

Common signs your air conditioning needs attention

• Air not feeling as cold as it used to

• Weak airflow through the vents

• A musty or unpleasant smell

• Unusual noises when the system is switched on

• The windscreen taking longer to clear

• Cooling that comes and goes

Why your air conditioning may stop working properly

There is not one single reason why air conditioning stops performing well. One of the most

common causes is low refrigerant, which reduces the system’s ability to cool the air properly.

If the level has dropped significantly, it may also suggest there is a leak somewhere in the

system. Another common issue is a blocked or dirty cabin filter. If airflow feels poor even when the

fan is on, the air conditioning itself may still be working, but the air is struggling to get

through properly. Sometimes the problem can also be caused by a damaged condenser, a

compressor fault, or another electrical issue.

What is an air con regas/service?

An air con regas or air conditioning service is carried out using specialist air conditioning

equipment by trained technicians. The machine connects directly to your vehicle’s system to

safely recover any existing refrigerant.

Once the refrigerant is removed, the system is placed under a vacuum. This removes moisture

and allows us to check whether the system can hold pressure correctly, which helps identify if

there are any leaks.

If the system passes these checks, it is then refilled with the correct type and amount of fresh

refrigerant so the air conditioning can operate properly again.

However, if a leak is detected, we are not permitted to refill the system by law. In these cases,

we will advise you of the amount of refrigerant recovered and recommend further testing or

repairs. This may include additional checks, such as nitrogen pressure testing, to help locate

the fault before any regas can be carried out.

If you’re unsure what your system needs, we can check this for you first, just call

01778424049 or e-mail enquiries@ayliffsgarage.co.uk

Service Estimates

Our approximate air con prices are £156.68 for R1234yf and £97.28 for R134a, based on a

550g refrigerant charge. We do not operate a ‘one price fits all’ approach, as different

vehicles require different amounts of refrigerant. For example, one vehicle may only need

50g, whilst another may require significantly more. You will only ever be charged for the

amount of gas your vehicle actually needs. If your system passes the initial checks, we will

refill it with the correct quantity. If your vehicle does not pass these checks, an £18 inspection

charge applies. This is standard practice and helps cover the time, equipment, and testing

involved in assessing the system before any regas or further work is carried out. If you are not

sure which type of refrigerant your vehicle uses, we can advise you when we inspect the

system.

When should you get it checked?

If your air conditioning is not cooling properly, smells unpleasant, or is taking longer to

demist the windscreen, it is worth getting it checked sooner rather than later.

Problems that

start small can become more expensive if they are left unresolved.

Air conditioning checks at Ayliff’s Garage

If your car’s air conditioning is not keeping you cool, it may simply need a regas/service, but

it could also indicate a leak, blocked filter, or another fault within the system.

At Ayliff’s Garage in Bourne, we can carry out a full air conditioning check to assess the

condition of your system and advise on the most appropriate next step. This may be a service,

further diagnostics, or repair, depending on the outcome of the initial checks.

Call us on 01778424049 or e-mail enquiries@ayliffsgarage.co.uk to get booked in today.